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Under Custer's Command: The Civil War Journal of James Henry Avery

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George Armstrong Custer's fabled Fifth Regiment fought with great distinction throughout the American civil war and suffered the third highest total of men killed in the entire Union Calvary. James Henry Avery, a 24 year old farmer from Hopkins, Michigan was on of Custer's feared "Wolverines". He eloquently described his personal war-time experiences in journals and postwar reminiscences, providing uniquely detailed descriptions of Civil War cavalry movements, and presents the only known account addressing the escape of elements of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry on the first day of the Battle of Trevilian Station. Other battles described include Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Yellow Tavern, Haws Shop, Tom's Brook, Cedar Creek, and Trevilian Station. Under Custer's Command: The Civil War Journal Of James Henry Avery provides an astute perspective on the life of a Union cavalryman in the Civil War and is a "must" for all Civil War buffs and civil war studies reference collections.

As editor Eric J. Wittenberg expands his library of Custer-related works, they continue to improve on the already growing collection of first-person accounts of the "Boy General's" Michigan Cavalry. As the preeminent biographer of Brevet Brigadier General James Kidd, Wittenberg provides readers with a sense of "being there," and inescapable feeling that they are sharing a fireside chat with a living, breathing veteran of our own Civil War.

"Under Custer's Command" is sure to please any readers of his previous collections of James Kidd. The latest book, a well-preserved and edited anthology of the personal journals of Sergeant James Henry Avery, an enlisted man who served with Custer during his formative years, continues Wittenberg's efforts to detail the wartime activities of the Michigan 6th Cavalry. One of the most successful mounted commands during the war, the "Wolverine's" received far less acclaim and few of the accolades enjoyed by cavalry units led by men such as Jeb Stuart and Stonewall Jackson.

"Under Custer's Command" is a rare jewel among surviving first-person accounts. The language is frank, yet simple: the work of a man interested less in impressing than in preserving his personal observations of history. Avery's journals offer an invaluable glimpse into the mind and soul of a man fighting for his country, his values, and his family. This wonderful book is a fantastic addition to any serious Civil War Custer library.

This book is the best memoir by an enlisted cavalryman I have ever seen, and I read a lot of Civil War books. At the end of the book, I felt like I had just finished a long conversation with Avery. Buy this book and enjoy it.

No matter whether you're a Custerphile or Custerphobe, don't let the title fool you. Under Custer's Command has very little to do with the "Boy General" and a lot to do with the every day life of a Union Cavalryman during the Civil War. James Avery describes life in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry with frankness and honesty, and without concern for the feelings of those who failed to pass muster.
The book details the part the Wolverines played in such famous battles as Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Cedar Creek, and Yellow Tavern, from the perspective of one who actively fought at the front lines, and brings a breath of fresh air to the Civil War narrative. I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires to explore the facts of life for a Civil War cavalryman.

This book is the best memoir by an enlisted cavalryman I have ever seen, and I read a lot of Civil War books. At the end of the book, I felt like I had just finished a long conversation with Avery. Buy this book and enjoy it.

Under Custer's Command is a first class story of being an enlisted man in a Union Calvary unit during the Civil war. I think the real value of the book is that it gives the reader a true idea of Custer as a military commander and leader of soldiers in battle. Sergeant Avery states that many of his friends in other cavalry units were jealous of him because he had the good fortune to be in Custer's command. Custer held the Union right at Gettysburg, led the charge that killed Jeb Stuart at Yellow Tavern and was a key leader in ending General Lee's retreat that culminated in Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Custer fought in over 40 engagements during the Civil War and was considered one of the best soldiers in the Union Army. Eleven years later he was killed in a battle on the Little Big Horn.

All the books through the years up until the 1960's portrayed Custer as a great leader and soldier. Then all that changed and Custer was portrayed as a poor leader of men, an inept soldier and an Indian hater. None of it true. I spent considerable time trying to figure out how the reputation of General Custer went from renowned soldier and hero to what is printed about him today. It took awhile for me to understand that there were two reasons for the change in General Custer's reputation. One being the Vietnam War understanding that many books are written by college educators who were very anti war at that time and attacked American military hero's. A big factor in their thinking also was the rise of the American Indian Movement and their support of that movement. Conclusion: When you hear someone disparage General Custer you will know why they think that way even though they do not know why they think that way. Kurt Seraphine

This is an interesting glimpse into the life of an ordinary Civil War soldier. Karla Husby and her editor did an excellent job of putting together Henry Avery's observations about his war experiences. A must read for Civil War buffs, especially those from Michigan and those with interest in Custer. It should be noted that I have a bit of a bias since James Henry Avery was the brother of my gggrandmother.